Outfielder, Kylan Becker, prepares for a pitch against Memphis earlier this season. (Photo By: Taylar Teel)
Rebels fans saw a historic win Monday night as No. 20 Ole Miss rallied in the last inning to take down No. 16 Alabama.
At the start of the seventh, Ole Miss was down 3-4 as Alabama’s pitcher walked an Ole Miss batter. After an error by the Alabama infield on a throw to first, Elantra Cox was able to tie up the game with a ground ball down the third-base line. Cox scored the winning run after Kylan Becker grounded another ball to third, sealing the Rebels’ ninth walk-off victory this season (their fifth in the past two weeks).
Becker’s performance in this game earned her the title of SEC Co-Player of the Week. This is the third time an Ole Miss player has received the honor this season. The Rebels’ series win over the Crimson Tide was their first in history and left Ole Miss with a conference record of 8-13. Their overall record stands at 34-17.
The Rebels now set their sights on their Wednesday night game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Southern Miss’ 26-26 record includes two wins from its last conference series against Conference USA opponent Charlotte. Southern Miss finished its final game against Charlotte with a 9-1 win, ending the series 2-1.
Southern Miss, who claims a record of 11-11 on the road, lost to Alabama 2-0 earlier this season. Other notable losses for the Golden Eagles include Mississippi State and LSU. Despite these losses, Southern Miss still claimed victory in its last meeting with the Rebels.
Elantra Cox will most likely lead the Rebels’ efforts to change the score, with a current batting average of .424 along with 41 runs and 73 hits. Cox will be joined by fellow junior Kaitlyn Lee, who will pitch for the Rebels. Lee has secured 84 strikeouts in over 170 innings for the Rebels. This season, she has pitched 17 complete games.
Playing at home should aid the Rebels’ effort, boasting a home record of 20-6. The Rebels’ main focus will be on limiting the abilities of Lauren Holifield, one of four players with above .300 batting average for the Golden Eagles this season.
The Golden Eagles have outscored opponents 216-178 this year. Holifield has started every game this season and was selected as a second-team All-Conference USA player last season.
